Salinization can be described as an increase in the salt concentration to the extent that optimal soil use is no longer possible. Optimal soil use means that it should be possible to cultivate any crop that is desired. Worldwide around 1 billion hectares or 7 % of the world’s total land area and about 20 % of the irrigated land is salt affected. Many flower crops are very sensitive to increased salt concentrations and even a salt concentration of 2 % seawater can cause severe damage to the crop. On the other hand a crop like sugar beet can withstand a salt concentration of 14 % without damage or loss in yield.

Saline agriculture is presented as an alternative to the increased salinization and the decrease of availability fresh water: selecting suitable crops, screening for the most salt tolerant cultivars, and developing cultivation schemes are the first steps towards large-scale saline agriculture and TS Agri , also known as zilt proefbedrijf, can perform and facilitate this research.